Family Division of the High Court

What we do

We hear cases where a child who is the subject of legal proceedings must be protected and this protection is not possible under the Children Act 1989. This is called our ‘inherent jurisdiction’. The most common type of case is where a child is made a ‘ward of the court’ (court consent is needed for important decisions).

We also handle cases of international child abduction but only if the abduction falls under either:

  • the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
  • Brussels II Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003

We can also hear cases about forced marriage, female genital mutilation and applications for financial relief where a divorce has taken place outside England and Wales. The Family Court can also hear these cases and we will usually transfer straightforward cases to them.

The Family Court will normally hear all other cases about family issues, but may transfer some cases to us, for instance if complex issues are involved.

We also hear appeals from certain decisions made by the Family Court.

Who we are

We are one of 3 divisions of the High Court of Justice, together with the Chancery Division and the King’s Bench Division.

We are based at the Royal Courts of Justice in London and at various other locations across England and Wales. Hearings at the Royal Courts of Justice are usually heard by a High Court judge. Outside London, hearings are heard by a district judge.

Court information

Contact the Family Division of the High Court

Cardiff general enquiries

Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre
2 Park Street
Cardiff
South Wales
CF10 1ET
United Kingdom

Telephone

029 2037 6400

Opening hours and facilities:
https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/cardiff-civil-and-family-justice-centre

Leeds general enquiries

Leeds Combined Court Centre
The Courthouse
1 Oxford Row
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS1 3BG
United Kingdom

Telephone

0113 306 2800

Opening hours and facilities:
https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/leeds-combined-court-centre

London general enquiries

Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
United Kingdom

Telephone

020 7947 6000

Opening hours and facilities:
https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/royal-courts-of-justice

Manchester general enquiries

Manchester County Court and Family Court Hearing Centre
Manchester Civil and Family Justice Centre
1 Bridge Street West
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M60 9DJ
United Kingdom

Telephone

0161 240 5300

Opening hours and facilities:
https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/manchester-civil-justice-centre-civil-and-family-courts

Birmingham general enquiries

Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Hearing Centre
Priory Courts
33 Bull Street
Birmingham
West Midlands
B4 6DS
United Kingdom

Telephone

0121 681 3010

Opening hours and facilities:
https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/birmingham-civil-and-family-justice-centre